Self-Cleaning Mist Nozzle for Steam Generators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shower steam systems face issues with clogged spray nozzles, which affect steam generation and lead to temperature variations in the shower environment, requiring frequent maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A self-cleaning spray nozzle design featuring a movable body and a fixed pin, where the body is biased against the pin until water pressure exceeds a threshold, allowing water to flow through and automatically clear the nozzle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional spray nozzle is used in a shower steam system, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the nozzle becomes clogged over time requiring frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The spray nozzle employs a movable body that can dynamically shift position based on water pressure. During normal operation, the body moves to an open position allowing water flow. During cleaning cycles or when pressure exceeds a threshold, the body moves to a closed position that blocks the nozzle opening, preventing debris from entering and causing clogs. This dynamic mechanism resolves the contradiction by adding mobility to otherwise static nozzle components.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle incorporates a self-cleaning capability where high-pressure water flow automatically pushes the movable body to a cleaning position that clears any debris or mineral deposits from the nozzle interior. The system uses its own operating water pressure to perform maintenance functions, eliminating the need for external cleaning mechanisms or frequent manual intervention, thus improving reliability without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Reliability
If the spray nozzle is cleaned frequently to prevent clogging, then the nozzle reliability improves, but the maintenance time and operational interruptions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The movable body mechanism enables the nozzle to perform self-cleaning operations using the system's own water supply. When water pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold or during scheduled maintenance cycles, the body automatically shifts to a cleaning position that flushes debris from the nozzle passage. This self-service capability maintains consistent steam generation reliability without requiring external maintenance intervention, thereby eliminating maintenance time losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle operates on a periodic cycle where the movable body alternates between an open position for normal water flow and a closed position for cleaning operations. This periodic switching allows the system to maintain cleanliness and reliability through automated cycles rather than continuous operation or frequent manual maintenance, reducing operational interruptions and time loss.
3Ease of repair
If a self-cleaning mechanism is added to the spray nozzle, then maintenance needs are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The self-cleaning mechanism utilizes a single movable body that shifts between two positions (open and closed) based on water pressure conditions. This dynamic component replaces the need for complex multi-part cleaning systems, manual disassembly procedures, or external cleaning equipment. The simplicity of having only one moving element keeps the overall device complexity manageable while dramatically reducing maintenance frequency and ease of repair requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The self-cleaning mechanism reduces maintenance needs, minimizes temperature variations, and prolongs the system's useful life by ensuring consistent steam generation.
Implementation Method 1
A biasing member is configured to bias the body against the elongated member by a biasing force
Implementation Method 2
The body is configured to move axially away from the elongated member toward the atomizing member in response to a pressure of a flow of water being above a threshold value so as to overcome the biasing force
Implementation Method 3
The housing defines a longitudinal bore extending to an outlet, and includes an atomizing member positioned adjacent the outlet
Data Source
AI summary
A spray nozzle for a steam generator of a shower steam system includes a housing defining a longitudinal bore extending to an outlet, and an atomizing member positioned adjacent the outlet. An elongated member is coupled to the housing in the longitudinal bore, and defines a pin at an end thereof. A body is slidably coupled to the housing in the longitudinal bore, and includes an opening extending therethrough. A biasing member is configured to bias the body against the elongated member by a biasing force such that the elongated member extends through the opening. The body is configured to move axially away from the elongated member toward the atomizing member in response to a pressure of a flow of water being above a threshold value so as to overcome the biasing force and allow the flow of water to pass through the opening to the atomizing member.